Indian Farming 68(01): 49–54; January 2018 Double purpose linseed: a viable option for doubling farmers' income in the north-western Himalyan region P. K. Singh1 and Pankaj Chopra2 CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidhyala, Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) 176 062 Linseed is a rabi crop, grown both for seed and fibre since long time. In general, the dual purpose linseed varieties bred in warm climates were inferior in fibre fineness than those in cold climates. Improved production techniques of dual purpose linseed for this region will certainly be helpful in changing the production status of linseed, which will not only increase the income of farmers but also help in employment generation for rural and urban masses along with smart earnings of foreign currency to improve agro socio-economy. A good crop of dual purpose linseed can be obtained by adopting Nagarkot, Jeevan and Him Alsi-2 varieties under irrigated situation (2-3 irrigation) during first fortnight of October using 40 kg seed/ha at row distance of 23 cm, fertilizer application of 50:40:20 N:P2O5 and K2O along with need based plant-protection measures. Net monetary return (`/ha) and production economics of dual purpose linseed clearly revealed that the income of farmers can be doubled through the adoption of recommended agro- production technologies. Development of improved varieties having quality fiber with good seed yield, refinements in post-harvest technologies especially retting and scutching and suitable government policies are essential for the promotion of dual purpose linseed. Key words: Farmers, Income, Himalayan region, Linseed INSEED/Flax (Linum research under AICRP on Linseed, cholesterol, reducing inflammatory L usitatissimum L.) is one of the such varieties have been developed disorder like rheumatoids arthritis oldest crop plants cultivated for the which can yield good quality fibre as and providing immunity and cardio- purpose of oil and fibre. In India, it is well as seed. Such varieties have vascular benefits. Linseed is one of mainly cultivated as an annual rabi average height of 75 to 100 cm and the richest sources of lignin (800 oilseeds crop under input starved and technical height (height between times more than any other plant seed moisture stress situation. Depending ground to the point where first except sesame seeds 47 times more) upon use, linseed is classified into branch starts) of more than 50 cm which provides protection against three types. Varieties grown only for with more branches on the upper certain form of cancer due to seed/oil are known as seed type part of plant. In our country, linseed estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activity linseed, whereas, varieties yielding occupies 3.84 lakh ha area with a in the body. The use of different only fibre are known as flax. Varieties production of 1.54 lakh tonne and grades/form of fibre and seed (raw or grown for getting both seed and fibre contributes about 10.81% and oil) in different products is given in are called dual purpose linseed. The 5.31%, respectively to the global area Table 1. plant architect of all three types of and production. Despite development of nine dual linseed is different from each other. Recent advances in medical purpose varieties and standardization The seed type linseed is shorter with research have found linseed as best of agro-production technologies average height of 30 to 50 cm, multi- herbal source of Omega-3 and under AICRP on Linseed, flax fibre branched from the base with more Omega-6 fatty acids with immense production is yet to be number of capsules. The flax plant is nutritional/medicinal effect on commercialized and huge quantity of taller with average height of 100 to human body system. Essential linseed straw (4.75 lakh tonne 120 cm with very few branches at the Omega-3 fatty acid (ALA) plays an approx.) remains unutilized for fibre top of the plant. But with advent in important role in lowering extraction mainly due to lack of Indian Farming January 2018 49 Table 1. Uses of different grades/form of fibre and seed (raw or oil) in different products lower temperature along with relative Textile industry Articles used in defence humidity of about 76% promotes the Linen and best quality clothes Parachute stalk height. Suiting shirting (blending with rayon Canvas and cotton) Strong threads for siewing Varieties Bedsheets, Curtains, Towel Selection of right variety and Paper industry Uses of coarse grades of fibres getting quality seed are essential to High grade paper Making twine and ropes obtain high yield. The best suited Stamp Paper Carpet/matting/Footmat dual purpose varieties for this region Parchment paper Tiles for making roof (Reinforcement Safety papers used for Currency notes material) are Jeewan, Nagarkot, Him Alsi-2. Bond paper, Air mail, Bible and other Good quality bags etc. high priced books and writing papers Decorative items Fertilizer application Rolling papers for cigarettes Geotextiles Recent studies under AICRP on Linseed oil (modified and chemically Raw and roasted seeds Linseed revealed that dual purpose treated) used in industry Value added edible products (Salted linseed and seed type linseed respond Paints and Varnishes whole linseed, Chutney, Baked products, equally to fertilizer application. Linoleum flooring Salad, mouth fresheners, Laddo, Burfi, Application of recommended dose of Oil cloth South Indian recipes etc.) linseed is helpful in realizing the full Polymer industries Omega -3 laden eggs Soft soap makings and packing potential of dual purpose linseed Finishing oil for leather and wooden furniture Linseed cake (Table 2). Lubricants and greases Feed for animals Plasticizers and pyrotechnic composition Organic manure Seed treatment Adhesive Treatment with Bavistin/Thiram Core oil lining Linseed mucilage @ 2.5 g/kg of seed before sowing for Printing and lithographic Ink Cosmetic Industry protection against seed borne and Wax shoe polishes Water soluble emulsifying agent, thickner and binder in food products soil-borne diseases. Oil in medicines Base for eye ointment Capsules Substitute for acacia gum Sowing Preparation of plywood glues First fortnight of October is ideal Filler in thermosetting resins for sowing, before the ambient temperature becomes too low and to infrastructure support for post- on Linseed. The improved affect germination of seeds. Delay in harvest processing i.e. retting and production techniques of dual sowing affect the seed and fibre yield fibre extraction from the retted straw. purpose linseed will certainly be adversely. Seeds @ 40 kg/ha are sown The demand of flax fibre for domestic helpful in changing the production in rows with row-to-row spacing of need is fulfilled through import status of linseed, which will about 23 cm at 2-3 cm depth. mainly from Belgium and the ultimately improve the economic Netherlands. The total import value status of the farmers of the region. Irrigation of all commodities (crude oil, seed, A minimum of two irrigations are fibre, yarn and fabrics) during 2016- Land preparation required i.e. the first at about 35 days 17 was 25.77 lakh crore against the The land should be ploughed 2 to after sowing and second at about 65 total export value of ` 18.52 lakh 3 times followed by 2 to 3 harrowing days after sowing for raising the good crore resulting in to overall trade for fine tilth. To conserve moisture, it crop of dual purpose linseed. deficit of ` 7.25 lakh crore. The is advisable to create soil mulch with However, third irrigation after utilization of fibre from dual purpose the help of hoe after each good completion of flowering can be linseed for textile purpose and other shower. The well drained, sandy loam given, if required and water is industries will not only increase the or silty clay loam soils having pH of available as the case may be. income of farmers but also help in 5.5 to 7.0 are suitable for its employment generation for rural and cultivation. Weed control urban masses along with smart Because of slow growth of linseed earnings of foreign currency to Climate during initial stages of crop and less improve agro-socio-economy. Dual purpose linseed for better leaf canopy, it competes poorly with fibre yield requires a cool humid mixed weed flora. It is necessary to Production technology climate with mild temperature keep the crop free from weeds for In view of fibre producing ability ranging from 10º C to 27º C, rainfall first 35 to 60 days after sowing. of dual purpose linseed without ranging from 155 to 200 mm and Manually two-hand weedings after affecting seed or oil yield, the agro- high midday humidity (60-65%) 4 and 7 weeks of sowing are techniques for production of dual during growing season. Drought and sufficient to keep the weed purpose linseed in Himachal Pradesh high temperature of about 320C population below threshold level. have been developed under AICRP during flowering reduce yield. The Chemically weeds can be controlled Indian Farming 50 January 2018 Rust Wilt Powdery mildew effectively with given herbicides Table 3. Weeds can be controlled by given herbicides (Table 3). Common name (a.i.) Dose of chemical Commercial Time of application The spray should be done with of herbicides (kg a.i./ha) dose/ ha knapsack sprayer fitted with flat fan Pendimethalin 30 EC 1.0 lt 3.33 lt Within 48 hr of sowing (Pre.) nozzle. The volume of water to be Isoproturon 75 WP 1.25 1.67 kg After 30-35 days of sowing (Post.) used for sraying must be 750 to 800 Clodinafop- 15 EC 0.060 400 g After 30-35 days of sowing liters/ha. propargyl (Post.) Plant-protection linseed seedlings shortly after Harvesting Usually the incidence of insects emergence, while delayed infections It is important to harvest linseed and pest on this crop is almost cause yellowing and wilting of leaves, crop at optimum stage.